Fujifilm announces 1.4x teleconverter for X100/X100S

Fujifilm has formally announced the TCL-X100, a 1.4x teleconverter for the X100 and X100S that was first shown at CP+ back in February. The converter brings the focal length up to 33mm (50mm equiv.) and features an HT-EBC coating to reduce flare. Owners of the X100 and X100S will need to update their firmware in order to take advantage of the TCL-X100. The teleconverter will be available this May in your choice of black or silver for a price to be announced later.

FUJIFILM LAUNCHES NEW TELE-CONVERSION LENS FOR THE X100\X100S

Valhalla, N.Y., April 16, 2014 – As a leader in advanced digital camera technology and outstanding image resolution, FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the new TCL-X100, a tele-conversion lens designed specifically for the award-winning FUJIFILM X100 and FUJIFILM X100S cameras. The lens attaches directly onto the camera, and increases picture taking versatility by multiplying the fixed focal length by approx. 1.4x, converting it from 23mm (35mm in 35mm equivalent) to a 33mm fixed focal length (50mm in 35mm equivalent).

The new conversion lens offers Fujifilm’s extraordinary optical quality and delivers high image resolution, even at the F2.0 wide open aperture setting, while using a special HT-EBC multi-layer coating to minimize ghosting and flare, and retaining all the original optical characteristics of the X100 and X100S.

To use the TCL-X100, users should update the camera’s firmware (X100: ver2.10 or later /X100S: ver1.20 or later) which also allows the option to be selected via the function (Fn) button, and then select the ‘Tele- Conversion Lens’ option in the Fujifilm X100/X100S’s shooting menu.

The TCL-X100 is compatible with the X100/X100S’s hybrid viewfinder and enhances functionality by retaining the auto focusing speed and offering a 5.5” macro shooting distance. With the optical viewfinder (OVF) selected, icons showing the edge of the frame are displayed, while selecting the electronic viewfinder (EVF) gives users a 100% field of view.

The TCL-X100 has been designed to seamlessly blend with the look and feel of the X100/X100S, and is manufactured using the same materials, textures, colors and finishes as the X100/X100S. The TCL-X100 will be available in May 2014 in silver and black for $349.99.

Comments

@Bastian Junker. No, it has F-stop 2.0 as Fuji say. The large front element on the tele-converter collects the light needed for f2.0 at 33mm focal length and tunnels it through the fixed lens. Your value d=11,5mm is for the fixed lens only.

Would be great to see some sampleshots. I guess the bokeh should be affected by the longer distance. They say it's still F2.0 with the TLC, but when the area where the light comes through is the same but the mm distance changes (from 23mm to 33mm) there should be a difference in F-stop too.

Apertures are calculated by the focal length divided by the size of the entrance pupil, rather than by the focal length divided by the size of the actual physical aperture opening.

It's a pretty common mistake you're making, because there is a difference between the size of the entrance pupil and the size of the physical aperture opening. The entrance pupil is a virtual image that you see when looking at the hole of the aperture through the front of the lens. The physical aperture opening is the actual size of that aperture opening.

When you put a teleside converter on a lens (that's what the TCL-X100 really is, rather than just a teleconverter,) it changes the size of the virtual image of the aperture (entrance pupil,) so the effective aperture stays the same.

In other words, teleconverters between the lens and the camera body reduce the effective aperture size, but teleside converters on the front of a lens, like the TCL-X100, keep the same effective aperture.

p.s. the same happens with the older WCL-X100, too. When you attach it to the camera, the aperture appears to get smaller when looking at it through the front of the lens, so the effective aperture remains at f2.

Of course, the disadvantage of teleside converters is that they're difficult to make with high quality, which Fuji seems to be doing a good job of.

Thanks for the explanation - I guess your right. I've heard that explanation before. As an engineer I just find it more intuitive to calculate the physical opening that is just in front of the sensor. On the other hand you still get the same amount of light (at least) with the TLC - I guess thats why its so big.

I'll be getting this.... when I can find one! Getting the WCL was a mission - I eventually found one in Venice (working on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean - lots of good camera shops to choose from - you would think......)

I still insist that a TLC which extends the focal length by only a factor of 1.4 makes little sense. You get (almost) the same result by cropping the picture with a factor of 1.4. Admittedly, you will lose some resolution, but any TLC will degrade the performance as well. To me, only a TLC which approaches the focal length of a portrait lens (X2.0 or so) is worth the money.But even then it makes little sense as it runs counter to the philosophy of the X100(S), which was intended as *compact* camera.I agree with NomadMark: "Buy an ILC and be done with it".

I agree that 1.4x isn't worth it to me. It bears mentioning that based on the WCL's optical quality, this TCL won't affect image quality at all.

If you use this TCL occasionally, the X100 is still a compact camera.

In regards to your last point, is there currently an APS-C ILC which is the size and weight of the X100S that comes with a hybrid viewfinder, leaf shutter, almost silent operation, high speed flash sync, and built in ND filter? The body + a really good 23mm f2 prime also has to cost what the X100S does.

28/35/50 is a common street photographers lens setup, which this TC allows for with the X100/s and the WCL-X100. The WCL-X100 doesn't degrade the X100's performance, so it's possible that Fuji pulled the same trick with the TCL-X100.

I agree with darngooddesign. If it's anything like the WCL, there will be no loss of optical quality or light transmission. Plenty of people have both a 35mm and a 50mm in their kit. They're different lenses and they have their uses. Sure, they are close, but so is an 18mm and 35mm and they are two very different lenses. You can crop, but as you said, it's not exactly the same.

@macky: Exactly. That was one my points.@ mr moonlight: Anything you add to an optical system will have an effect, including optical quality or light transmission. But in this particular case it's most likely a minor issue.

He never said he would buy one, so I assume he is a sort of MacGyver who has the ability to make it by himself with an old corrective lens, half a box of Chiclets (peppermint flavored, that's essential for the anti-flare coating) and one or two band-aids. Et voila !

cool, this gives my x100s a little more variety, as my only high quality non-compact camera. that's pretty much what i want, for my purposes of shooting the same old locations on my walks and hikes with different focal lengths, different ideas. not exactly the most cost effective solution for 28, 35, and 50mm f/2.0 shooting but the only one that is silent and fits in a pocket (at least in one mode of operation).

Yeah, but the WA converter is a different animal. It is offering something not otherwise available - a wider FOV. A narrower FOV is readily available via cropping. So now, if the optical quality isn't good enough to soundly trump cropping and upsampling, the price is going to be hard to justify. You can't gather a wider FOV with software manipulation using only one exposure. We'll see, but even the best, most expensive TCs I've seen leave a lot to be desired.

You're right Fujifilm has kept the good old japanese way to make business while a lot of other big names have miserably failed to keep their customers by imitating the western hard-way. When do Japanese will ever re-learn the humbleness and play their cards like they knew to until 10 years ago ? For my part, I would vote for Komori Shigetaka (Fujifilm CEO) to top the KEIDANREN (Japan's bigger firms syndicate) to lead them ahead, it's to say back to the way their predecessors knew so well to make good items and to sell them with respect for their customers. Ah, good all days ? When will you be back ?

On top of the multiple firmware updates for my x100, and now this, makes my years old x100 purchase continue to get better- this is fantastic Customer Relations IMHO. All the more reason I will buy a XPII Full Frame, when it is released (fingers crossed). Go Fuji!

I thought the TC was already out. Fuji is s l o w in this regard.Now X100(s) needs a 2.2x or 2.5x TC and a wide one so that you can have a body small bag, one body and 3 TCs for 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm small f2.0 kit.

NomadMark, there is no sub-MFDB digital camera on the market that has an optical viewfinder, leaf shutter and offers interchangeable lenses. The optical viewfinder and leaf shutter are two of the major reasons to buy an X100 in the first place, and adding a couple of converters doesn't change that.

I really like my X100, it's been everywhere for the last 3 years, but given the price of the WCL-X100 adapter (USD$315 on a well known website) I think I'd be better served putting the money for both wide and tele adapters towards another camera. I love the X100 for what it is - the digital version of the Konica Hexar AF, just grab and go.

I'd end up using the electronic viewfinder with the adapters anyway so I might as well use something else for wider or longer focal lengths. Adapters are a neat concept but pretty fiddly to use in practice.

Kelvin L, regarding your first post, I agree completely. As for your second thought, an X100 with either adapter is no longer grab-n-go. For the price of the wide adapter, I'd rather put that money towards a Ricoh GR. Then I'd have two grab-n-go cameras at two great focal lengths - one in each pocket!

It depends on what you want from your camera. There are a number of features I like about my X100 that the XE1 or even the XP1 don't have. Overall the X100 + adapters is still smaller than any comparable setup. You have to think about it as 3 f2 lenses in a small package, but with less hassle. The beauty of the Fuji WCL is that the quality is excellent and you never have to worry about getting your sensor dirty while changing lenses.

The X100 concept is still valid with these adapters, and the system is interesting for several reasons:

- 28/35/50 is a common focal length trio for street shooters.- I believe this is the only digital system that has those 3 focal lengths with an optical viewfinder and leaf shutter (outside of medium format digital.) - all three focal lengths are still f2- no worries about sensor dust.

I'll still use my X100 on its own most of the time, but I have a second X100 body (camera backups are wise) that always has the 28mm converter attached, and I'll add this new 50mm to my kit for those times when I don't mind bringing a bit more gear. Modularity isn't necessarily a bad thing.

JackM, The screw mount itself isn't less hassle, but not having to deal with two lenses while trying to keep your sensor and back lens elements protected from dust when swapping glass is. Just pull out your adapter, remove the caps and screw it on.

Meh. Other than holding the body with the mount pointing down, and minimizing the time the back of the lens is exposed or facing up, I really do not worry about dust when changing my lenses. It's too bad this thing isn't bayonet mount.

Not sure why, HotShot106. You XM-1 doesn't have the optical viewfinder or leaf shutter of the X100s, and it isn't in the same universe of image quality as the RX1, so I don't think it's a good comparison.

x100 is 49mm, dp3m is 52mm, a step down ring could work (if its thin enough) but I'm wondering on the quality.. as the 50mm f2.8 lens is super sharp and would need a high quality adapter which this could be to keep delivering or I'm just as well to crop.

Hard to say, the WCL is optically very good so I expect this will be as well. How that works with your Sigma is unknown. What you can do is buy a step up ring, wait for the TCL to be released, and go to a shop and try for yourself.

Everyone needs to remember that, while this converter will block more of the OVF, the framelines for the converter will be a lot smaller in dimension, so it should still be as usable as some of the larger Leica 50mm lenses on an M body.

p.s. to answer a common question in this thread, aperture is still f2.

Seriously? I can fit my X100 in my coat pocket with the WCL in the other. This Tele converter is not much bigger than the WCL. My 5D doesn't even come close to fitting in my pocket. Especially if I carry my 35 and 50 along with it. The difference in size and weight is night and day.

I like the X100S, but I prefer a 50mm lens. So I'll put the teleconverter my X100S and leave it on. If Fuji comes out with an X100S with a 50mm built-in, that would be my ideal camera. Lacking that, the converter lens will be fine.

Cudos to Fuji for keeping their systems fresh and alive. But.. the jump from 35 to 50mm is marginal and is certainly something within crop range in edit. (a crop your 16 megapixel image to about 11.5 mpix)

I would have liked it to be a 2.4 instead, offering just over 80mm equiv, and wouldn't mind sacrificing apertures to get there.

I'd have to disagree with the difference being marginal. As someone who shoots a LOT of 35mm and 50mm (probably 90% of my shots) I think there's a huge difference between the two.

The best way to see how dramatic the difference is, in my opinion, is to flip the frame line toggle switch back and forth on an M body. 50 is much tighter than 35, and completely changes the way I frame and how I shoot.

I do understand that one can back up or walk forward a few feet, but this dramatically changes your relationship to many subjects, and the spacial perspective of the different focal lengths is very different as well.

A 1.4x crop halves the pixel count (1.4 linear, so a factor of two in image area.) So from 16MP to 8MP.The 1.4X TC could also be combined with a further crop, so that for example using both the 1.4X TC and a 1.4X crop gives a combined 2X for a "portraity" 70mm equivalent FOV with 8MP, instead of the 4MP got with just a 2X crop.

wootpile, you misunderstand:- to get the "50mm FOV" by cropping without a TC, you have to use 1/2 the sensor area (dividing both horizontal and vertical pixel count by 1.4) so getting 8MP, whereas with the 1.4x TC, you get that same FOV with no crop of the image from the sensor, so using all 16MP.- to get a "70mm FOV" without the TC, you have to crop by 2X, to half the width and half the height of the total image from the sensor, or 4MP, whereas with the 1.4xTC only a further 1.4x crop is needed to get that FOV, so 8MP.

Perhaps you are missing the fact that the 1.4X is a linear factor of image enlargement, not a pixel count factor. That is, it increases the focal length by a factor of 1.4.

The whole zoom with your feet concept is not nearly as effective when using wide to normal lenses with portraits since small changes in distance will result in much more drastic differences in facial compression. The difference between 35 and 50 is quite dramatic whereas the difference between 85 and 100 in minimal.

If the original poster should refer to MILC: For mirrorless systems with interchangeable lenses I doubt that there is much need forTCs. Every system (except Sony A7) has relatively cheap and lightweight telezooms that usually beat a lens+TC combo in image quality. In DSLR systems you can save much weight and money by useing a TC on fast telezooms or tele primes, here usually not. There are only few lenses where a TC might be meaningful (e.g. Pana 35-100, Oly 75).

You can use the Olympus 1.4x and 2.0x along with an MFT adapter and presumably still get AF with a four thirds lens...

Given that they tend to work better with longer focal lengths and reduce light, I can see why the MILC companies need to focus on the longer, fast lenses first, before bringing out a tele-converter. All f/2.8 or faster MFT lenses so far are 100mm or less, if I'm not mistaken.

Given that a smaller kit is one of the strengths of a MILC system, you'd think a 1.4x TC would be a desirable thing - but fast teles aren't going to be small or cheap, so they don't seem to focus on them...

It surely is a nice thing from Fuji to support older cameras. However I am wondering what is the point of compact camera then. If I want to have the possibility to change lenses, I will buy a CSC (one of five available Fuji X-mount cameras). Those people raptured by X100 used to say fixed focal length compact is about creativity, unlike being able to zoom or choose whichever focal length. With adapters the X100 becomes another "CSC", just a crippled one.

Too each their own, but the converters are much smaller than regular lenses. I've been really happy with the current converter and one of the only things I've wished from the X100 was that I could have a 50mm version. Well, here it is. It's not quite as pocketable, but I never carried mine in my pocket anyways. It's still much smaller and lighter than my DSLR kit and even my XP1. Add on the silent leaf shutter and I can't see why anyone would be against it?

Seconding this: it's really great, great, great that Fuji supports their older hardware (here, the X100/s) in this way - firmware updates and adapters. This is how you build a following - by not treating your customers like idiots who will constantly upgrade to the next best thing. Even the *news* of this, to non-X100/s owners, is a cred booster for Fuji.

Side note - I'm wondering what I'd do for a lens hood with this adapter. It certainly doesn't look like the Fuji hood will fit... and either way, it's really going to affect its portability.

Everyone, even those really interested in cameras, cannot be expected to remember the specs of every camera. I try, and still I sometimes wonder things like "hmmh, I remember the X100 was a bit special, but what was it now?"

On another note, I would have very much liked if they told in this article what the effect this extra lens has on maximum aperture / t-stop. With between-lens-and-body adapters this is pretty much a known (because such a tele extender just spreads the light (already collected by the lens) to a larger area), but the same simple formulas don't apply for front conversion elements.

(From an earlier DPreview article it seems that the extender has no effect in the f/2 max aperture. That is far from self-evident, so I think it would have been good to mention in this article, too.)

I have to say that I'm impressed with how Fuji supports their existing cameras, past and present. The continuous firmware, beyond what almost anyone else does and now this addition to the other converter from last year. Now your X100(s) can be it's native 35mm, 50mm or 28mm. Looking at this, the little X100 series can be a prime shooter great travel kit with the camera and two converters. It may look a little bulky, but beyond that, I'm sure the IQ of the teleconverter will be stellar.

The frame will obviously be a bit smaller than the 35mm, so the lens will be able to intrude into the viewfinder a bit more before blocking any of the actual frame. It seems like it will obscure it a tad bit, but it will probably be very minor. Much less than the WCL.

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